Union and town discuss affect of police department lawsuits

Published 3:01 am, Tuesday, September 1, 2009

In the wake of a federal racial discrimination lawsuit, union and town officials hope they can take the lessons learned from each case and move forward.

"Anytime you go through something like this, there is something to be learned," said First Selectman Peter Tesei, who is also the police commissioner. "I have every confidence the town will strive to do better than it did yesterday."

Sgt. James Bonney, president of the police union, the Silver Shield Association, said he has already seen many improvements since the town and department acquired new leadership. However, Bonney said the issues raised by recent lawsuits do warrant review and discussion.

"The Silver Shield Association hopes that the relationship between the town and the members of the police department will continue to improve and that we may all learn from these events," Bonney said.

One issue raised in the racial discrimination lawsuit was how special assignments within the police department are made. During trial, attorneys for the eight minority officers continually pointed out that under ex-chief James Walters, no minorities were given any of the 34 premium pay openings, including detective, neighborhood resource officer and accident investigator. Those assignments now are made under the sole discretion of the chief of police. But with a jury finding bias in that practice, Bonney said there may be a need for change.

"Our stance will always be it should be as little as opinion as possible," said Bonney, who has been with the department for 20 years. "It should be based on seniority and service ratings."

Tesei said he was open to discussing the policy, but also noted that top management should have a say when making certain decisions.

"I do think you want to preserve some management prerogative," Tesei said. "But I think that is an area that can be looked at."

Cheif David Ridberg declined to comment for this article. However, during testimony at the trial, Ridberg said he was affected when he realized the sheer numbers of the 34 positions with no minority officers appointed.

Bonney said Ridberg already has begun promoting a more diverse section of the department and has increased transparency when an opening comes up.

"He has opened up the process a lot," said Bonney. "He announced things, we have interviews now. They never were posted before."

Two other lawsuits hitting the department in recent years included one in which a police lieutenant claimed he was unfairly passed over for a promotion to captain in 2003. The main issue was whether the top scorer on an exam should automatically be promoted for a position outside of the union, as had been the custom. Lt. Gary Honulik was the higher scorer in the 2003 exam and won his trial. However, Honulik lost his appeal in the state's Supreme Court. The high court granted him a reconsideration of the ruling, which is currently pending.

Another lawsuit involved several officers who served in the military and claimed they were discriminated against because of their service in a 2007 lawsuit. That case was settled after the town offered the officers back pay and a promotion to one officer.

Tesei felt relations have improved overall because their is a strong level of respect and better communication now.

"I think it is an underlying mutual respect between myself and members of the union," said Tesei, noting that his open door policy also helps keep the channels of communication open.

Despite the fact that the eight officers in the discrimination case said they were not comfortable filing grievances about racial discrimination, both Bonney and Tesei said they felt the policies in place are appropriate.

Bonney said that it was the leadership's refusal to address legitimate concerns that caused officers to feel this way, not the policies.

"I think the grievance process is fine," Bonney said. Tesei said he felt the policies were appropriate, but review is still necessary.

"The town has policies in place stepping up education and training for persons on various policies," said Tesei. "It cannot hurt to periodically review the policies to see if they are working effectively," said Tesei.

Despite past litigation, however, Tesei said he hopes the department can now come together and usher in a new era, in a brand new state-of-the-art facility scheduled to open later this month.

"I think providing the facility goes a long way in boosting morale," said Tesei. "They have been working in substandard confines for a long time."

Bonney said he was confident that now that the lines of communication have been opened, the department will continue to improve and issues of the past will weight on the department less and less.

"Every year the atmosphere gets better," said Bonney. "Things are pleasant and maturing and that is all we really ask for."